No filter, no post-enhancement: Just a gorgeous sunset as we saw it in Linz, Austria. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
What a gorgeous day in Linz, Austria. Again, as was the case yesterday, Scenic Jasper offered several complimentary tours. Some of the guests headed off for a full-day excursion to the Czech Republic, where they would explore the 13th-century town of Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Others headed to Salzburg, the setting for “The Sound of Music” and birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Me? I straddled a saddle for one of the best bike rides yet, but since I’ve written extensively about biking on Scenic Jasper, I thought I’d focus on a topic everyone seems to appreciate: food.
First, a little backstory. I’m traveling with a group of journalists and top travel sellers on Scenic Jasper. We’re here to take part in christening ceremonies in Vienna on Tuesday. We’re an experienced group of travelers who can be skeptical and hyper-critical. Our job is observe the fine details that make or break travel experiences for our readers or the clients of travel sellers who are with us.
I’m not the greatest food critic. I enjoy almost any food that I can lift to my lips. So I’m not your best source for telling you if the food was good, great or orgasmic. Some of my colleagues have discerning palates, however. What I am hearing from them and from the travel sellers over and again is that the dining experience on Scenic Jasper is done exceptionally well. The dining outlets are varied (there’s the Crystal Dining Room, Portobello, Table Le Rive, the River Café and room service), the cuisine is well presented and tasteful, and the service — well, let’s just say that the travel sellers on board are comparing it to Crystal Cruises, and service, as experienced cruisers know, doesn’t get any better than that.
So what and where can you eat on Scenic Jasper? Here’s a roundup in photos of my experience so far.
Breakfast, Coffee & Tea
There are three options for breakfast: room service, the River Café and the main dining room, called the Crystal Dining Room.
Guests on deck three may order a full breakfast delivered to their rooms, as well as those in the Junior Suites on deck two. Those in other categories of staterooms may order coffee or tea delivered to their rooms. After breakfast, 24-hour room service is available for all guests. The 24-hour room service menu features such items as green salads, Minute Steak, burgers, Club Sandwich and more.
The River Café, situated in the Jasper Lounge, also serves up breakfast. I enjoy the tranquil setting, with a table by the window, watching the rippling of the river as Scenic Jasper motors upstream in the mornings.
Fruit salad, Bircher Muesli and Fruit Yogurt for breakfast at River Cafe on Scenic Jasper. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Loose leaf and bagged teas in the Jasper Lounge. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
A most excellent coffee machine in the Scenic Lounge. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
The Crystal Dining Room serves up a little of all that you would expect from a fine hotel breakfast: omelets and eggs cooked to order, cereals, fruits, yogurts, toast, fresh-squeezed orange juice and more. Breakfast is served buffet-style.
The Crystal Dining Room in the morning hours. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Eggs and omelettes cooked to order in the main restaurant. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Lunch, Two Options (Three Counting Room Service)
Like breakfast, there are three options for lunch: room service, the River Café and the Crystal Dining Room.
The Crystal Dining Room on Scenic Jasper. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Fresh salads and more in the main restaurant on Scenic Jasper. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Light snacks in the River Café. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Room service: Minute Steak & Garden Salad. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Captain’s Gala Farewell
Our evening started a champagne toast in the Jasper Lounge during the Captain’s Gala Farewell reception.
Glass of champagne? Welcome to the Captain’s Gala on Scenic Jasper. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Cruise Director Frank Riapos and Captain Jozsef Toth . © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Table La Rive
After the Captain’s Gala Farewell, our press group headed downstairs to enjoy dinner at Table La Rive. The six-course set menu is paired with wines and available only to guests on deck three and those in Junior Suites on deck two. Table La Rive is situated in a section of the Crystal Dining Room. The cuisine and service was about as good as I’ve experienced anywhere.
Invitation to dinner at Table La Rive. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Scampi with Mango and Rucola at Table La Rive on Scenic Jasper. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Wine presentations before each course at Table La Rive. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Beetroot Graved Lax with Orange Flavored Fennel Slaw at Table La Rive. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Mushroom Cappuccino soup Table La Rive. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Beef Filet with Foie Gras and accompaniments at Table La Rive. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Ground Pepper with your beef? Table La Rive. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Chocolate Cake with Balsamic Cherries and Vanilla Ice Cream at Table La Rive. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
The sun sets as we have dinner leaving Linz in our wake. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Portobello
Early in the week, I had dinner at Portobello. The Italian-themed restaurant is situated on the main deck, in front of the Jasper Lounge. Folding doors open to the front deck, though I am uncertain as to whether they will be used for al fresco dining.
Vitello Tonnato with capers and lemon-flavored lettuce at Portobello restaurant. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Prosciutto, Buffalo Mozzarella, Marinated Olives and Sun-Dried Tomatoes at Portobello restaurant. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Porcini Tortellagi on Truffle Flavored Tomato Coulis at Portobello restaurant. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Working Off The Calories
After all that great food, you may feel the need to burn a few calories. In addition to the electric-assist bikes, which I have written about extensively, you’ll find a well-equipped fitness center on Scenic Jasper.
Fitness center on Scenic Jasper. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
You could burn a few calories during the “Waltz Demonstration,” where the audience may participate. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Another fitness option on Scenic Jasper: water aerobics in the top-deck pool, pictured here reflecting the Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Be sure to save room for the chocolate on your pillow when you return to your room. Sweet dreams. © 2015 Ralph Grizzle
Hello Christine,this is Lisa and Gary from Sugar Land,Texas. I see that you and your husband are also going to be sailing on The Opal as well and like you this has made us both feel the same as we are so excited and even more so after reading this magnificent Blog and seeing all the photos that have been posted by Ralph.
We are fortunate enough as to be cruising in one of The Royal Panorama Suites and just can’t wait. We shall have more space than we know what to do with but that is good as we are also on a website called Cruise Critic and have met 4 other couples that shall also be on our cruise and I can see the possibilities of maybe hosting a few cocktail parties maybe before we all go and have dinner.
Where in Australia do you live as My Mother was Australian and I grew up most of my younger years there. I lived in Greensboro and I was a buyer for Meyer Melbourne Limited when they were still in business. Used to live in a Highrise on Lawnsdale Street before we bought our home.
My mother and her two sisters were entertainers under The name of The Donald Sisters and met my dad while he was on R&R at a performance at Town Hall. Anyways there Wedding Photos hang in The National Archives in Canberra,as it was big news and they were married at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. My dad was a cowboy from a Ranch out in West Texas.
Anyways we were originally booked with Viking but after remembering what a great and wonderful time that I used to have in The Land from Down under how can one go wrong with sailing with a bunch of Aussie’s. Scenic is offering so much more for our dollars spent and is also $10,000 cheaper.
Hi Gary,
We have spoken before on Cruise Critic, we are from Queensland, a few hours north of Brisbane.
Unfortunately we are not lucky enough to be in a Royal Panorama Suite, but we have managed to upgrade to a Junior suite from a balcony in the last couple of weeks. I am sure you and Lisa will have an amazing time as I know we will on our cruise in July/August.
Happy cruising
Chris
Ralph, may I ask a question in regard to the electric bikes. My husband is nearly 70 (me 60), neither of us are exercise enthusiasts, but we can both ride bikes (we have fold up bikes we use when touring in our caravan in Australia). The 20 mile ride you did, was it hilly or relatively flat, if hilly was the electric assist sufficient to get through those areas without too much exertion? We would both love to do that ride, where we would really get to feel the areas we ride through, but are very aware that we may not be able to manage the hilly/steeper sections of the ride, and of course, do not want to be a burdon to the guides if we went.
Thank you, and I look forward to your reply.
Chris & Ken
The bikes have plenty of power. No worries at all about hills. The hills were more like bumps, not long climbs.
Again, many thanks Ralph for your comments and comprehensive photos. How many more days do you have? I look forward to further comments and photos. As you would know, what we are seeing from you is making our wait almost unbearable, but our anticipation is unsurpassed as far as this trip for us.
Chris & Ken
I am done. Off the ship today!
Dear Ralph,
Thank you for your informative reviews and photos, we appreciate very much the time & care you have taken to give us new comers to river cruising with Scenic, an insight into what we can expect.
I know our experience will be amazing, and more than worth the long flights from Oz to enjoy Europe in such a manner.
Warmest Regards
Ken & Chris Darvell
Mr. Grizzle question as to electrical outlets and do we need adapters?
Yes, the outlets are standard European style. Adaptors are needed for non-European gadgets.
Oh our Bags are packed and Ready To Go. Just can’t wait to get on board. Mr. Grizzle all I have to say is a superb Job in your Blog of The Scenic Jasper. We are so looking forward to our trip on The Opal September 2,2015 Jewels of Europe.You have made this River Cruising seem even more enticing and I was very skeptical at first but after seeing all your photos and seeing your videos I think that I can stand being spoiled for our 15 day cruise. Ahh Just the thought of Loungin” Laughin” and Enjoying those Tasty Libations. Sure the cruise in itself shall be Awesome but it is going to be the folks that you meet and the Friendships that are formed as those are the types of Ships that shall Sail Forever. Can’t wait to see what the next couple of days shall bring. Once again I wanted to say thanks for posting photos of our cabin 337.
Lisa and Gary
LoneStarCruisinCouple
You will love it. They do it the way it should be done.
Fabulous daily recaps, Frank. Thanks for sharing details of this magical itinerary. The new ship looks equally enticing!